Growth Habit: In optimum conditions, a durian tree can eventually grow to be very tall, large and majestic. Adult trees started from seeds can eventually reach up to 50 m in height, with a trunk diameter of 120 cm. Seedlings usually have a tall branchless trunk with an irregular, dense or open crown of rough branches.

Young grafted clone trees have a distinctive characteristic shape like a large Christmas tree, and the branches grow out from the main trunk in every direction. Unless pruned otherwise, in older age they will eventually grow into the same tall form as seedling trees, but with a maximum height usually only about 40-70% as great.

Durian trees are sometimes said to have a lifespan of 80 to 150 years although they appear to be inherently capable of living for centuries. Fruit production decreases in very old trees though the fruit quality tends to noticeably increase with age.

Foliage: The durian tree's simple, drooping leaves are about 8 to 20 cm long and 2.5-7.5 cm wide. They are shiny smooth, light or dark green above. The underside is somewhat scaly, sometimes brown but more often with a golden sheen. The leaves are folded at their mid-rib when they first appear, then stretch out as they mature.

Flowers: Durian flowers are strongly fragrant, 50-70 mm long and grow in stalked clusters of 1 to 45 individual flowers per cluster. These flower clusters hang from the main and smaller branches, or directly from the trunk of the tree. It takes about one month for a durian flower to develop from first appearance as a tiny bud to an open blossom.

As it matures, the outer fleshy part of the flower (the epicalyx) splits to reveal 5 united sepals and 5 petals . Durian flowers are hermaphrodites, each having a stamen and pistil in the same flower. Durian flowers show a high degree of self-incompatibility and have to be cross-pollinated with other trees to set fruit. Bats and moths are believed to be the main pollinators.

Fruit: The durian is round to oblong. The size depends on the variety . They may be g reen to greenish bronze in colour and covered with sharp spines. It contains 5 - 6 locules, each with 1 - 5 seeds embedded in a custard-like aril which is whitish-cream to orangy-yellow in colour.

Durians fall to the ground when fully ripe, usually during the cooler temperatures of the night. The durian's most distinct characteristic is its strong smell, which has been described offensively as overripe cheese, rotting fish or wet, smelly socks. Most agree that the creamy flesh has an appealing and unique taste that is difficult to describe.